{{Short description|none}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025|cs1-dates=ly}} {{Infobox election | election_name = 2012 Colorado Senate election | country = Colorado | type = Legislative | vote_type = Popular | ongoing = No | previous_election = 2010 Colorado Senate election | previous_year = 2010 | next_election = 2013 Colorado recall election | next_year = 2013 (recall) | seats_for_election= 20 out of 35 seats in the Colorado Senate | majority_seats = 18 | election_date = November 6, 2012 | turnout = | image_size = 150x150px | image1 = File:Brandon_Shaffer_Portrait.jpg | leader1 = Brandon Shaffer<br>(Term-limited) | party1 = Democratic Party (United States) | leader_since1 = May 6, 2009 | leaders_seat1 = District 17 | last_election1 = '''20''' | seats1 = | seats_after1 = '''20''' | seat_change1 = {{steady}} | popular_vote1 = '''714,492''' | percentage1 = '''52.64%''' | image2 = File:Sen._Bill_Cadman_(6241451343).jpg | leader2 = Bill Cadman<br>(Redistricted) | party2 = Republican Party (United States) | leader_since2 = October 21, 2011 | leaders_seat2 = District 10 | last_election2 = 15 | seats2 = | seats_after2 = 15 | seat_change2 = {{steady}} | popular_vote2 = 587,261 | percentage2 = 43.27% | map_image = | map_size = | map_caption = | title = President | before_election = Brandon Shaffer | before_party = Democratic Party (United States) | after_election = John Morse | after_party = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{ElectionsCO}}

The '''2012 Colorado Senate election''' was held on November 6, 2012, to determine which party would control the Colorado Senate for the following two years in the 69th Colorado General Assembly. Twenty out of 35 seats in the Colorado Senate were up for election and the primary was held on June 26, 2012. Prior to the election, 20 seats were held by Democrats and 15 seats were held by Republicans. This was the first election following the redistricting of Colorado's legislative seats in 2011. The general election saw neither party lose nor gain any seats, meaning that the Democrats retained their majority in the State Senate.<ref name=QWS>{{cite web |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_State_Senate_elections,_2012 |title=Colorado State Senate elections, 2012 |publisher=ballotpedia.org |date= |access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref><ref name=KKJ>{{cite web |url=https://historicalelectiondata.coloradosos.gov/search?df=2011&dt=2012&bq=false&coff[0].i=5 |title=Search Past Elections Archive |publisher=historicalelectiondata.coloradosos.gov |date= |access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref>

==Predictions== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !Source !Ranking !As of |- | align=left | Governing<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Daigneau |first=Elizabeth |last2=Jacobson |first2=Louis |date=October 23, 2012 |title=The Latest Chamber-by-Chamber Analysis of the 2012 State Legislative Elections |url=https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-latest-chamber-by-chamber-analysis-2012-state-legislative-elections.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224195701/https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-latest-chamber-by-chamber-analysis-2012-state-legislative-elections.html |archive-date=2021-02-24 |access-date=2025-11-28 |website=Governing |language=en}}</ref> <!--Gov-->| {{USRaceRating|Lean|D}} | October 24, 2012 |}

== Retirements == === Democrats === # District 14: Bob Bacon was term-limited. # District 17: Brandon Shaffer was term-limited. # District 21: Betty Boyd was term-limited. # District 30: Suzanne Williams was term-limited. # District 35: Joyce Foster retired.

=== Republicans === # District 7: Shawn Mitchell was term-limited. # District 12: Keith King retired. # District 22: Tim Neville retired. # District 27: Nancy Spence was term-limited.

== Defeated incumbents == === Primary === ==== Republicans ==== # District 8: Jean White lost renomination to Randy Baumgardner.

== Closest races == Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%: # '''{{font color|blue|District 19, 1.00%}}''' # '''{{font color|red|District 35, 2.00%}} (gain)''' # '''{{font color|blue|District 22, 6.00%}} (gain)''' # '''{{font color|red|District 8, 7.00%}}''' # '''{{font color|blue|District 26, 8.00%}}'''

==Results== === District 4 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 4 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mark Scheffel (incumbent) |votes = 50,173 |percentage = 64.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Holly Gorman |votes = 24,968 |percentage = 32.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Chris Grundemann |votes = 3,437 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 78,578 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 8 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 8 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Randy Baumgardner |votes = 34,187 |percentage = 51.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Emily Tracy |votes = 29,688 |percentage = 44.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Sacha L. Weis |votes = 3,079 |percentage = 5.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 66,954 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 10 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 10 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Owen Hill |votes = 44,200 |percentage = 73.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Brandon Hughes |votes = 10,255 |percentage = 17.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = American Constitution Party (Colorado) |candidate = Christopher Mull |votes = 5,721 |percentage = 10.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 60,176 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 12 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 12 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Cadman (incumbent) |votes = 34,673 |percentage = 68.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Dave Respecki |votes = 8,603 |percentage = 17.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = American Constitution Party (Colorado) |candidate = James Michael Bristol |votes = 7,762 |percentage = 15.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 51,038 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 14 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 14 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = John Kefalas |votes = 46,673 |percentage = 58.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Syndi Anderson |votes = 28,874 |percentage = 36.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jeff Johnston |votes = 3,166 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Independent (United States) |candidate = Barrett Rothe |votes = 1,828 |percentage = 2.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 80,541 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 17 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 17 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Jones |votes = 45,426 |percentage = 62.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Charlie Plagainos |votes = 23,983 |percentage = 33.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Ken Bray |votes = 3,848 |percentage = 5.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 73,257 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 18 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 18 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Rollie Heath (incumbent) |votes = 66,619 |percentage = 78.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Barry Thoma |votes = 18,427 |percentage = 22.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 85,046 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 19 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 19 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Evie Hudak (incumbent) |votes = 35,664 |percentage = 47.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Lang Sias |votes = 35,080 |percentage = 46.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Lloyd A. Sweeny |votes = 5,104 |percentage = 7.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 75,848 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 21 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 21 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jessie Ulibarri |votes = 30,308 |percentage = 65.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Francine Bigelow |votes = 16,373 |percentage = 35.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 46,681 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 22 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 22 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Andy Kerr |votes = 38,845 |percentage = 53.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Ken Summers |votes = 35,008 |percentage = 47.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 73,853 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box gain with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = Republican Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 23 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 23 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Vicki Marble |votes = 43,949 |percentage = 56.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Lee Kemp |votes = 34,252 |percentage = 44.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 78,201 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 25 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 25 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Mary Hodge (incumbent) |votes = 27,961 |percentage = 55.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John Sampson |votes = 20,310 |percentage = 40.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Ronald G. Schweizer |votes = 2,461 |percentage = 5.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 50,732 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 26 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 26 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Linda Newell (incumbent) |votes = 38,744 |percentage = 54.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Dave Kerber |votes = 32,890 |percentage = 46.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 71,634 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 27 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 27 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = David Balmer |votes = 42,411 |percentage = 55.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = David Paladino |votes = 34,957 |percentage = 45.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 77,368 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 28 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 28 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Nancy Todd |votes = 37,181 |percentage = 58.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John Lyons |votes = 24,475 |percentage = 38.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Robert Harrison |votes = 2,459 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 64,115 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 29 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 29 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Morgan Carroll (incumbent) |votes = 30,149 |percentage = 59.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = William Ross II |votes = 18,745 |percentage = 37.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Michele Rae Poague |votes = 2,420 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 51,314 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 31 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 31 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Pat Steadman (incumbent) |votes = 54,390 |percentage = 70.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Michael Carr |votes = 23,425 |percentage = 30.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 77,815 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 32 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 32 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Irene Aguilar (incumbent) |votes = 47,995 |percentage = 70.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Roger Logan |votes = 20,505 |percentage = 30.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 68,500 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 33 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 33 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Michael Johnston (incumbent) |votes = 51,357 |percentage = 82.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Jason DeBerry |votes = 8,456 |percentage = 14.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Courtney Kolva |votes = 2,579 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 62,392 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = }} {{Election box end}}

=== District 35 === {{Election box begin no change|title=District 35 election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Larry Crowder |votes = 31,117 |percentage = 49.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Crestina Martinez |votes = 29,618 |percentage = 47.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = William Bartley |votes = 2,461 |percentage = 4.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 63,196 |percentage = 100.0% }} {{Election box gain with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Elections in Colorado footer}} {{2012 United States elections}}

Category:2012 Colorado elections Category:Colorado Senate elections Category:November 2012 in the United States Category:2012 state legislature elections in the United States